Combination three-dimensional article and closed display package therefor



May 25, 1965 A w. B. RANE. ,1 5,

COMBINATION THREE-DI SIGNAL ICLB AND CLOSED DISPLAY KAGB THEREFOROriginaJ F d Dec. 15. 1958 INVENTOR. Egg/(am .5. Crane a I lr/lwr 4.Mam/l flroem'y United States atent O 3 185 295 COMBINATIONTHREE-DIMENSIONAL ARTICLE AND CLOSED DISPLAY PACKAGE THEREFOR William B.Crane, Jr., New York, N.Y., assignor, by

direct and mesne assignments, to Union Bag-Camp Paper Corporation, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Original application Dec. 15,1958, Ser. No. 780,564, now

Patent No. 3,064,402, dated Nov. 20, 1962. Divided and this applicationOct. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 233,171

Claims. (Cl. 206-45.31)

This application is a divisional application of Serial No. 780,564,filed December 15, 1958, now US. Patent No. 3,064,402..

This invention relates to packages for articles of merchandise, andmethod of packaging and more particularly to articles and closedpackages containing the same, which are arranged to provide for displayof the articles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedcombination article and closed package containing the same, which isadapted to constitute an attractive and protective display for thearticle, whereby the latter may be readily viewed and presented to thebest possible advantage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved combinationthree-dimensional article and closed display package therefor, whereinthe package portion of the combination is extremely simple, and isconstituted of a minimum number of components.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method ofpackaging and presenting a threedimensional article for displaypurposes, which method is extremely simple and involves little expense,and which may be quickly carried out, preferably utilizingmassproduction techniques.

In line with the above, still another object of the invention is toprovide a combination three-dimensional article and display package,wherein the package structure may be readily machine-produced and alsomachine-applied to the article in a quick and easy manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved combination article and display package as characterized,wherein the cost of the package and the cost of applying the same to thearticle may be held to a very low figure whereby the packaging iseconomically effected.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improvedcombination article and display package as above set forth, wherein aneffective seal and closure is provided for the protection of thearticle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novelcombination three-dimensional article and closed display package inaccordance with the foregoing, which is inherently self-supporting whenthe article is of the type having a surface which may constitute asupporting base.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a combinationthree-dimensional article and closed display package, wherein all sidesof the article may be fully viewed, thereby to enable a completeinspection of the article to be had without removing the same from thepackage.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novelcombination article and display package as above characterized, whereinan appreciable saving of space is effected, and whereby a number of saidpackaged articles may be readily packed in lots, in relatively littlespace.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combinationthree-dimensional article and closed display package, wherein thepackage means is durable, and reasonably reliable at all times insealing and protecting the displayed article.

3,185,295 Patented May 25, 1965 Other features and advantages willhereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters ofreference are used wherever possible to designate like componentsthroughout the several views, in which FIGURE 1 is a front elevationalview of a combination three dimensional article and closed displaypackage as provided by the invention, resting on a table surface shownin section.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a blank from which the closed package ismade.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a combination article and displaypackage illustrating a modification of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the novel combinationthree-dimensional article and closed display package containing the sameis shown as resting on a fiat table or supporting surface 10. Thepackaged article is indicated by the numeral 11, and may have any ofnumerous different shapes or configurations. Preferably, the article 11has a fiat undersurface 12 adapted to constitute a base, by which thearticle 11 may be supported on any fiat table or other supportingsurface. The article 11 may, for example, be in the form of a smallfigurine or other image; or, as shown, it may be constituted of a smallcontainer or bottle such as is used for cosmetic preparations and thelike.

The display package of the invention comprises essentially a stiffsupporting sheet 14 which is formed with a cut-out portion to provide alarge opening indicated by the outline 15 in FIG. 1, in which thearticle 11 is dis posed. The straight edge bottom portion 17 of thesupporting sheet is preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, substantially flushwith the base or bottom surface 12 of the article 11. The straight edgeportion 17 is formed by folding sheet 14 on a fold line 28 which extendsacross the opening 15. In the species illustrated, the fold line 28bisects the opening 15.

The package further comprises a thin, transparent plastic membranoussheet 20 which is folded about the article 11 on a fold line common tothat on which sheet 14 is folded and conforms more or less closely tothe contour of the article or at least to major parts of the contour ofthe article. The edge portions 21 and 22 of the plastic sheet 20 arearranged in opposed, juxtaposed relation as clearly seen in FIG. 2, andlie substantially in a plane which is intersected by the article 11 andwhich substantially contains the said supporting sheet 14. The opposededge portions 21 and 22 of the plastic sheet 20 are, in accordance withthe invention, held in place by the stiff sheet 14.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the folded stiff sheet 14 isconstituted to have a double thickness whereby it comprises two opposedportions or halves 24 and 25, said stiff supporting sheet being alsopreferably formed from a single piece, such as the blank 26 indicated inFIG. 3. This blank 26 may be folded about a central fold line indicatedby the numeral 28 in FIG. 3, thereby to form the composite or doublethickness support shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When constituting the stiffsupporting sheet 14 in this manner, the blank 26 is preferably providedwith a large opening 30 by virtue of the cutout portion whereby theopening 15 of the package indicated in FIG. 1 is formed at the time thatthe blank 26 is folded about the fold lines 28.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the package sheet spans theopening Also, the plastic sheet 20 is preferably preformed as seen sheetwill lie in a said plane being intersected by the article 11. Also, the

may be advantageously constituted by attaching the transparent plasticmembranous sheet 20 to the blank 26 as indicated in FIG. 3, prior tofolding of the blank, and the resultant assemblage may then be foldedabout the article 11 to completely enclose the latter at the time thatthe forming of the package is being completed. Preferably, thetransparent plastic sheet 20 has its entire peripheral edge portionadhered to the blank 26 so that the plastic 30 of the blank, as seen inFIG. 3.

in FIG. 4, whereby its central portion is laterally offset or dished,said central portion thus forming a pocket and being that which spansand occupies the opening 30 of the blank 26. The pocket may be readilyand conveniently formed by any suitable means for stretching the plasticsheet, as for example, vacuum forming apparatus.

After the composite structure shown in FIG. 3 has been fabricated, it isthen folded about the article 11 by placing the article in the hollow ordished portion of the plastic sheet 20 and thereafter folding the stiffsupporting sheet 14 about the fold lines 28. The two halves of the stiffsheet 14 are brought together and secured to each other, whereby thearticle 11 will be completely enclosed by the plastic sheet 20, and theopposed edge portions of said flat plane containing the rigid sheet 14,

base surface 12 of the article 11 may be disposed substantially flushwith the horizontal straight edge portion 17 formed by the fold lines 28of the stiff supporting sheet 14, with the article projectingsubstantially from both sides of the supporting sheet, as clearly seenin FIG. 2.

The superposed halves 24 and 25 of the stiff supporting sheet 14 may besecured together in any suitable manner, as by stapling or the use of asuitable adhesive.

In accordance with the present invention, after enclosing the article 11in the plastic sheet 20 as above described, the pocket may be preformedof dimensions similar to those of the article to be carried thereby.Thereafter the size of the plastic sheet may be reduced to substantiallyconform to the article. The pocket may also be preformed of a largersize than that of the article and then shrunk. For example, where theplastic sheet is constituted of a vinyl composition, such as polyvinylchloride, the size of the plastic sheet may be quickly andadvantageously so reduced by the application of heat to the sheet, asthrough the use of a heated stream of air. Upon the plastic sheet beingheated and allowed to cool, it will conform to the contours andprotuberant portions of the article 11. During such process, the articleand the display package may be rested on a flat supporting surface, suchas the table surface 10 shown in FIG. 1, whereupon the flat bottomsurface 12 of the article 11 will be positioned substantially flush withthe straight edges 28 constituting the fold lines of the stiffsupporting sheet 14. By extending laterally outwardly in both directionsfrom base 12 of the article 11, the folded edge 17 of sheet 14 provideslateral stability for the displayed article.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6. As shownherein the packaged article projects from only one side of the foldedstiff supporting sheet, and is positioned thereon by certain portions ofthe supporting sheet, which are provided in a novel manner. The article32 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises a fiat, squat cylindrical containersuch as the metal or paper containers commonly used in the costmeticindustry or in other fields to package small articles and which issubstantially flush with or tangent to the lower surface 44 of thearticle 32. As in the first species, the folded edge 42 extendshorizontally outwardly in both lateral directions from the base 44 ofarticle 32 to provide lateral stability for the same while on display.The container 32 is disposed in a circular opening 33 formed in a stiffsupporting sheet 34, the bottom or back surface of the container 32being substantially flush with the back surface of the supporting sheet34.

'Folded about the container 32 is a thin transparent plastic membranoussheet 36, said plastic sheet having edge portions 37 and 38 which arearranged in juxtaposed relation to each other and which liesubstantially in the plane which contains the said stiff sheet.

The rear portion 39 of the stiff supporting sheet 34 has means forpositioning the article 32. In effecting such positioning, the rearparts may be provided with a relatively large opening 40 aligned withthe opening 33 of the front portion of the sheet 34 and formed to beslightly smaller in size than the said opening 33. By this organization,the edge portions of the rear portion 39 which surround the opening 40thereof will engage the back peripheral portions of the container 32, asclearly shown in FIG. 6, thereby to securely position the container andmaintain the latter projecting only from the front of the front portionof the stiff sheet 34.

Perferably the front and rear portions of the sheet 34 are constitutedof a single piece of stiff cardboard or the like, having a singleopening, said single piece being folded about a line which intersectsthe said single opening. Thus, the opening of the said single piece ofstiff board would have two parts which, when the board is folded,produce the larger opening 33 in the front portion of the sheet 34 andthe smaller opening 40 in the rear portion 39. Also, as seen in FIG. 5,the openings 33 and 40 in the stiff sheets 34 and 39 extend to thecorresponding superposed edges of the sheets, which make up the foldededge 42 of the blank.

The article 32 has a bottom surface 44 which is disposed substantiallyin the plane containing the said folded edge 42, whereby the surface 44constitutes a base on which the article 32 may rest.

The forming of the package illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is done in amanner similar to that already described above. The single piece fromwhich the stiff sheet is formed, having the double-circle opening isprovided with the transparent plastic sheet 36, the latter beingstretched to provide a displaced or dished portion forming a pocketwhich extends through mainly the circular opening 33 of the stiff sheetportion 34. The article 32 is placed in the said pocket, and the largesingle piece of stiff board or blank is then folded about the line 42,whereupon the two superposed portions of the board are adhered orsecured together in any desired manner. Thereafter, the plastic sheetcontaining the article 32 is caused to closely conform to the contour ofthe article. The finished product then has the appearance seen in FIGS.5 and 6. As in the first species, the plastic sheet 36 may have a foldline common to that of the stiff sheet 34, although this is obviouslynot necessary.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided noveland improved combinations of an article and display package therefor, aswell as a unique and advantageous method for packaging three-dimensionalarticles. The display package is seen to be extremely simple in itsconstruction, constituting essentially but two main components, thestiff supporting sheet 14 and the plastic enclosing sheet 20. Thepackage may be readily fabricated by machine methods and equipment aswell as by hand, and may be also easily applied to the article by massproduction techniques, and this latter is true of the shrinking processby which the plastic sheet 20 is made to conform more or less closely tothe contour of the packaged article. The method as provided by theinvention is further seen to be simple and capable of being readilycarried out by automatic equipment as well as by hand, whereby desirablemanufacturing economies are effected.

The completed combination article and display package has a number ofadvantages. The folded edges 17 or 42 of the stiffening sheets 14 or 34provide lateral stability for the displayed article by being flush withthe bases 12 and 44 of the same. The enclosed article may be so arrangedthat all portions of it are readily viewable. Also, the surfaces of thearticle are protected from dust, dirt and other adverse influences, andinstead the glossy appearance which is effected by the transparentplastic sheet enhances the colors and general appearance of the article,resulting in an attractive display thereof. Adver tising or other datamay be readily imprinted on the exposed sides of the stiff supportingsheet 14, as this information relates to the enclosed article.

A number of articles and packages as above constituted may be readilypositioned in shipping containers, by staggering the disposition ofthose portions of the package which enclose the article 11. Thus, asaving of space may be readily effected, which is not possible wherearticles are placed in rectangular, round or other similar types of boxcontainers.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

1 claim:

1. An upright display package and mount for a displayed article, saidarticle having a base surface for supporting the same, comprising asheet of stiffening material formed with an article receiving openingtherethrough, a flexible sheet of transparent material overlying atleast said opening of said stiffening material, said flexible sheetbeing formed with an article receiving recess within said opening, saidsheets being folded about said article on a common fold line, meanssecuring the side edges of said stiffening sheet together, meanssecuring the ends of said stiffening sheet remote from the fold linetogether, and said fold line being disposed centrally of said sheet ofstiffening material in flush relation to said base surface of saidarticle providing horizontal coplanar and laterally oppositely directedextensions of the same to provide lateral stability to said package whenplaced upright on a supporting surface.

2. A display package and mount according to claim 1 wherein said foldline is located to bisect said recess.

3. A display package according to claim 1 wherein said fold line isdisposed along one edge of said article-receiving recess.

4. A display package according to claim 1, wherein said fold lineextends across said opening and recess.

5. An upright display package and mount for a displayed article, saidarticle having a base surface for supporting the same, comprising asheet of stiffening material formed with an article receiving openingtherethrough, said sheet being folded upon itself on a transverse foldline to provide a straight folded lower edge, a flexible transparentsheet enclosing said article, said flexible sheet having laterallyextending marginal portions secured to said sheet of stiffening materialoutwardly of said opening providing means supporting said article insaid opening, said base surface of said article and said flexibletransparent sheet being flush with said folded lower edge of said sheetof stitfening material, and said folded lower edge extending laterallyand horizontally outwardly of said article in both directions to providelateral stability to said package when placed upright on a supportingsurface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,575,034 3/26Brattain 248-174 2,303,344 12/42 Erne 206-56 2,491,423 12/49 Snyder206-80 2,750,719 6/56 Wandelt 206-80 2,805,791 9/57 Arneson 206-2,809,863 10/57 Curran 206- 2,878,061 3/59 Saeks 206-78 2,884,127 4/59Neary 206-80 2,905,313 9/59 Bertram 206-78 FOREIGN PATENTS 958,491 9/49France.

v THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

1. AN UPRIGHT DISPLAY PACKAGE AND MOUNT FOR A DISPLAYED ARTICLE, SAIDARTICLE HAVING A BASE SURFACE FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME, COMPRISING ASHEET OF STIFFENING MATERIAL FORMED WITH AN ARTICLE RECEIVING OPENINGTHERETHROUGH, A FLEXIBLE SHEET OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL OVERLYING ATLEAST SAID OPENING OF SAID STIFFENING MATERIAL, SAID FLEXIBLE SHEETBEING FORMED WITH AN ARTICLE RECEIVING RECESS WITHIN SAID OPENING, SAIDSHEETS BEING FOLDED ABOUT SAID ARTICLE ON A COMMON FOLD LINE, MEANSSECURING THE SIDE EDGES OF SAID